The Seinen anime (which in Japanese means “grown man”) is a type of anime intended generally to male persons over 18 years, usually between 20 and 40 average. The seinen animes often address complex issues and dilemmas in real adult life, which makes them totally unsuitable for children. In addition, they are also plagued by scenes with erotic content and physical and psychological violence.
Regardless of who you are and how you feel, we offer you our suggestions of the 20 most interesting Seinen ( in our opinion like usual)
Side note: the titles listed are not ordered from best to worst … that’s up to you.
Best Seinen Anime :
Devilman Crybaby
High school student Akira Fudō is informed by his best friend, Ryō Asuka, that an ancient race of demons has returned to conquer the world of humans. Believing that the only way to defeat demons is to seize their powers, Ryō suggests that Akira unite with a demon. By succeeding in doing so, Akira transforms into Devilman, possessing the powers of a demon but retaining the soul and heart of a human.
The series is a much more direct adaptation compared to previous works of the franchise, covering the entire span and events of the manga. However, numerous modifications were made to the plot, such as developing in a modern environment and the different characterizations of the characters.
- Episodes: 10
- Gender: Horror , gore
Baccano!
In the late 1930s in Chicago, the transcontinental train, Flying Pussyfoot, begins its legendary journey that will leave a trail of blood throughout the country. At the same time in New York, the ambitious scientist Szilard Quates and his unwilling assistant Ennis, look for the lost bottles of the elixir of immortality. In addition, the war between the mafia groups is getting worse. Onboard the Advena Avis, in 1711, the alchemists are about to learn the price of immortality.
Darker than Black
Ten years ago, an inscrutable and anomalous territory known as Hell’s Gate appeared in Tokyo , altering the sky and disfiguring the landscape. The sky disappeared, replaced by false stars. At the same time, people with paranormal powers appeared. Kept secret to the masses, these individuals, known as Contractors, are able to kill in cold blood thanks to their deadly powers. Although unions hide their purpose from them, various world nations use them as spies or agents, often resulting in violent battles for information. The false stars each correspond to the different Contractors, and whenever the latter use their power, they vibrate. Therefore Contractors can be identified through the Messier Catalog .
Ajin: Demi-Human
The story tells us about Kei Nagai, a high school student who discovers being an Ajin, immortal beings who are persecuted by the governments of the planet, who are interested in knowing more about them and how to exploit their immortality for their own benefit. Kei Nagai must run away … Not knowing what awaits him …
Afro Samurai
An invincible warrior, a revenge, a man who is more than a legend. A black samurai with an abundant afro hairstyle is the protagonist of this death and revenge story, our protagonist is known as Afro Samurai or Afro for friends, actually for the only friend he has, a good-hearted black ninja the whole rhythm of the Bronx, in its way of speaking and moving, called Ninja Ninja. Afro will travel this perhaps futuristic world, mixing feudal Japan with the American West and some of the black neighborhoods of New York. A world where violence rules and weapons are the soul of the people. There is the challenge of being the No. 1 in the world, an untouchable man considered a god for being the strongest in the world. There are two tapes that are carried by the two best warriors of No. 1 and No. 2.
Afro’s father knew how to hold that great title, to be the No. 1 in the world, until a tragic day Justice, the man who had the No. 2 tape, challenges Afro’s father and in a fierce battle he kills him in front of Afro in the most tragic way. So the protagonist will swear revenge and grow to become the second strongest man in the world and thus be the only one who can challenge No. 1, to defeat him and thus avenge his father’s death. Afro unlike No. 1, it can be challenged by anyone who wants to have the tape of No. 2, which will bring a life full of violence and endless murders where everyone, thieves, bandits, bounty hunters and manic monks will want their head, in Wherever he goes, it will be very difficult for him to find peace, since only death surrounds him.
Psycho-Pass
In the near future, it is possible to instantly measure the mental state of a person, the personality and the probability that said person will commit crimes thanks to a psycho-somatic scanner that performs a scan of the functions of the brain and other biological and chemical functions of the body, determining the Psycho-Pass, a number associated with a color in each person. When this probability, measured as the “Crime Coefficient” index, is too high, that is, it has a very dark color and a very high number, individuals are persecuted and detained with lethal force, if necessary. This task is performed by a special team of potential criminals called Executors, who are supervised by police officers known as Inspectors. Inspectors must ensure that the executors in exercise perform their duties within the limits of the law. Executors and inspectors employ special weapons called “domineers” designed to fire only at those with a higher than normal crime rate.
The story follows a Unit of the Division of the Office of Public Security and Criminal Investigation, the equivalent to the police of the current time, directly responsible and administrator of the work of Inspectors and Executors.
In Psycho-Pass the philosophical issue is treated very often, from the perspective of the main antagonist as from the same system that governs society.
Gantz
Gantz takes its name from the 1974 series ” Ganbare Robokon “. This was about certain robots that were carrying out orders from their teacher, the Gantz robot, every day. These orders consisted of helping people (the main robot helped a certain family in particular), and each time they did they were rewarded with points. The amount depended on the task. By completing 100 points, Gantz gave them a mechanical heart, and by getting 10 hearts (1000 points spent) they transformed them into class A robots.
Mushishi
In Japanese, “Mushi” means “insect” or “bug.” However, in the series they are not plants or animals but living beings similar to microorganisms and fungi, being of various shapes and dimensions. Due to their ethereal form, their existence and appearance are unknown to most humans, except for a small number who can see them and interact with them. Sometimes, Mushis themselves inhabit or relate to them in some other way. This contact can have both positive, negative or simply neutral consequences.
Ginko, the main character, is an expert on Mushi. He is a teacher of Mushi, who travels to investigate and learn more about these beings. Along the way, it will help people who have problems with certain paranormal events related to the Mushi. Ginko generally takes, by way of payment, objects related to the cases of Mushi that he has solved. These items are then sold to collectors. The story unfolds between the Edo era , the era of isolation and feudal Japan. But Ginko has different clothing than all the characters in the series, much more modern
Death parade
Quindecim, From the Latin number Quindici, is a mysterious bar where a lone bartender named Decim works. Whenever two people on Earth die at the same time, they are sent to one of the many mysterious bars like Quindecim, where they will be forced to participate in the Death Game , A deadly game during which the secrets who brought them there and their fate will be revealed: Decim is, in fact, one of the judges who will decide whether their soul will be reincarnated or end up in a vacuum.
One-punch man
The story takes place in a fictional metropolis known as Z City, in Japan . The world is invaded by strange monsters that mysteriously appear and cause numerous disasters to the population. Saitama is a powerful bald superhero who easily defeats monsters or other villains with a single blow of his fist. Because of this, Saitama has found her strength boring and is always trying to find more powerful rivals that can match her.
In his adventures, he meets new friends, enemies, and his own disciple, the powerful Cyborg Genos, and joins the Heroes Association to gain fame for all his actions and to prevent evil. Despite defeating many more powerful enemies than the main heroes, even those of the Heroes Association, Saitama is unable to gain recognition of his actions in general. Most people discriminate against him because of his normal physical appearance and some accuse him of being a false hero; likewise, the strongest warriors discriminate against him based on the lack of recognition by the association of heroes without having any idea that he is stronger than all. Only a small number of individuals recognize their incredible talent and humility towards others.
Berserk
Many people consider manga far superior to anime (and rightly so), but Berserk could not be left out of a list with the main Seinen titles .
Berserk is based on the manga written and illustrated by Kentaro Miur, belonging to the epic-fantastic genre. Set in a dark fantasy world inspired by medieval Europe, the story focuses on the characters of Guts, an orphan and solitary mercenary, and Griffith, the leader of a mercenary band called The Gang of the Falcon (or Falcons ).
The issues of isolation, camaraderie, betrayal, moral judgments and the question of whether humanity is fundamentally good or bad are constant themes in history, which explores the best and worst of human nature.
xxxHOLIC
The series focuses on Kimihiro Watanuki, a young student who is tormented by ghosts (known by ayakashi ). One day, he meets Yuuko Ichihara’s shop, a witch who grants wishes. She tells Watanuki that she can fulfill her wish, but only if she is willing to exchange something of equal value. Watanuki agrees, but Yuuko informs him that the value is too large, and that he must pay the debt working in his shop.
A characteristic of the CLAMP is to create relationships between their works and link the different fictional universes of some of their previous works. That is why there is a clear connection between xxxHOLIC and Tsubasa: RESERVE CHRoNiCLE . In fact, the presence of characters from one anime in another is common.
Cowboy Bebop
The story focuses on a group of bounty hunters (Spike, Jet, Valentine, Ed and Ein) who travel through the space in the Bebop spacecraft in search of and capture dangerous criminals. The anime touches on philosophical themes, such as loneliness, existentialism, emptiness and the influences of the past.
There are many reasons to watch this anime: soundtrack, well-built characters, exciting plot and overwhelming visual aspect. The series became a commercial and critical success worldwide, being considered as a masterpiece in both the Japanese and international markets (especially in the United States).
Samurai Champloo
We are witnessing the trip of Fuu, a 15-year-old girl who looks for the “samurai that smells like sunflowers.” Accompanying him, there are Mugen (reckless and rake) and Jin (calm and stoic), a swordsman and a ronin , respectively, who help the girl as a way to pay a lost bet.
Shamurai Champloo is officially classified as a shōnen , but like Cowboy Bebop , it deals with issues and situations that are not very appropriate for the youngest: moments such as marijuana plantation, slave prostitutes, various combat scenes (very bloodthirsty) and the tragedies that show how life is not made of happy endings like in the movies.
Death Note
There is great controversy about the demographic classification of Death Note . The manga was originally published by Weekly Shōnen Jump , a magazine specialized in stories for young teenagers, but it is undeniable that the complexity of its plot is more in line with the basic characteristics of a seinen.
The manga series is written by Tsugumi Ōba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, and the anime adaptation was directed by Tetsurō Araki. It also has several movies and video games.
All the intellectual conflict between L and Kira (Light Yagami), the absence of a predominant hero in history and all the complexity and gravity of the plot are more than attractive elements for adults (at least in the West). As a curiosity, the series was banned in China because the children modified their notebooks to resemble the Death Note.
Death Note is one of the most acclaimed titles in the world of anime and manga , being considered a true masterpiece.
The anime is entirely available on Netflix, which also produced a real action movie in 2017, directed by Adam Wingard and with very mixed (predominantly negative) reviews because of the changes from the original version
no steel ball run or jojolion?